Three trailblazing women officers have been awarded the rank of Superintendent of Police for the first time in the history of Maldives Police Service (MPS).

MPS confirmed the news in a statement, noting that Commander of the Upper North Police Division Fathimath Nashwa, Head of Organizational Reform Izmia Zahir and Commander of the Central Police Division Mariyam Azma had been awarded the rank of Superintendent of Police.

All three officers used to hold the rank of Chief Inspector of Police prior to being issued their historic promotions.

Superintendent of Police Fathimath Nashwa serves as the Commander of the Upper North Police Division after 25 years with the Maldives Police Service. Superintendent Nashwa has a degree in mass communications and a masters in business administration, and is active as a lecturer for various courses at the Police Academy.

Superintendent of Police Izmia Zahir serves as the Head of Organizational Reform, and has been at MPS for 16 years. She is one of the few women officers to be commissioned at MPS, and is the first woman officer to serve as a Division Commander as well. Superintendent of Police Izmia Zahir has also served as the Spokesperson for MPS and the head of the MPS Victims Support Unit as well.

Superintendent of Police Mariyam Azma is one of the longest serving women officers at the Maldives Police Service, with a service record that surpasses 25 years with the force. At the time of her promotion, Superintendent Azma was serving as the Commander for the Central Police Division. She has had a long and prolific career as an investigation officer, and has fulfilled top leadership positions at a unit and department level. In addition to this, Superintendent of Police Mariyam Azma has also served as the Head of Victims Support and Family and Fender Affairs Department at the Maldives Police Service.